Fiber management assemblies and trays and network interface devices incorporating such assemblies and trays

ABSTRACT

Fiber management assemblies, trays and network interface devices for use in telecommunications that incorporate such assemblies and trays are described. Fiber management trays can include integrated slack storage systems and mechanical fiber splice devices mounted into integrated splice holding grooves, where the mechanical fiber splice devices are actuated by a fiber splice actuation mechanism positioned over the mechanical fiber splice device, as are network interface devices incorporating such assemblies and trays.

FIELD

The present description relates to fiber management tray assemblies andnetwork interface devices for use in telecommunications that incorporatesuch tray assemblies.

BACKGROUND

Telecommunication cables are used for distributing data across vastnetworks. As telecommunication cables are routed across networks, it isnecessary to periodically open the cable and splice or tap into thecable so that data may be distributed to “branches” of the network. Thebranches may be further distributed until the network reaches individualhomes, businesses, offices, and so on. The distributed lines are oftenreferred to as drop lines. At each point where the cable is opened, itis necessary to provide some type of enclosure to protect the cable (andpotentially unjacketed fiber) and allow easy and repeated access to thecable, such that technicians may easily access the cable to providenecessary services, the link may be tested, and so that one installationcrew may install a drop line to the device, while another completes thelink inside the home to the subscriber optical network unit.

Enclosures for both electrical and optical telecommunication cables aregenerally known. For example, there are enclosures that receive one ormore cables and contain some form of cable connection. Such enclosuresoften also contain storage means for storing unused conductive wires oroptical fibers waiting for subsequent use. In some enclosures, splicesin the cable and connection devices intended for subsequent connectionto drop wires are maintained in separate areas of the enclosure, so asto reduce the possibility of damaging or disrupting cable splices duringre-entry into the enclosure when connecting drop lines or the like.Terminals or closures positioned at a final residential unit, likely asimplex or duplex home, are sometimes termed network interface devices.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the present description relates to a fiber managementtray assembly. The fiber management tray assembly includes a firstoptical fiber stored in loops around a slack storage system in the tray,where the first end of the first optical fiber is pre-installed in afirst mechanical fiber splice device. The first mechanical fiber splicedevice is securely mounted in a first fiber splice holding groove thatis integrally formed in the tray. The first mechanical fiber splicedevice receives a first end of the first optical fiber after routingthrough the slack storage system. Further, a fiber splice actuationmechanism is positioned over the first mechanical fiber splice device.

In another aspect, the present description relates to a networkinterface device. The network interface device comprises an enclosurebody and a fiber management assembly disposed in the enclosure body. Thefiber management assembly comprises an adapter mounting section, wherean adapter is mounted into a mounting mechanism disposed in the adaptermounting section, a splice holding section having a first fiber spliceholding groove, a fiber splice actuation mechanism positioned over thefirst fiber splice holding groove; and a slack storage system. A firstconnector is connected to the adapter, the first connector including afirst fiber pigtail extending therefrom, wherein the fiber pigtail andan optical fiber from a drop cable or subscriber cable are both routedaround the slack storage system. A first mechanical fiber splice deviceis securely mounted in the first fiber splice holding groove, where thefiber splice actuation mechanism is also positioned over the firstmechanical fiber splice device, and is capable of actuating the firstfiber splice device by pressing on the actuation mechanism.

In another aspect, the fiber management assembly comprises multipletrays. A first tray includes the adapter mounting section, spliceholding section, and slack storage system mounted thereon the firsttray. A second tray includes a second adapter mounting section, a secondsplice holding section, and a second slack storage system mounted on thesecond tray. In another aspect, the second tray is pivotably mounted onthe first tray.

In yet another aspect, the network interface device further comprises asplitter and a patch panel tray. In another aspect, the adapter mountingsection, splice holding section, splitter, and slack storage system aremounted on a fiber management tray and the patch panel tray is pivotablymounted on the fiber management tray.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a network interface device according tothe present description.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a fiber management tray assembly according tothe present description.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a fiber management tray assembly according tothe present description.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a fiber management tray assemblyaccording to the present description.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a fiber management tray assembly according tothe present description.

FIG. 6 is close-up top view of a portion of a device according to thepresent description.

FIG. 7 is a top view of a network interface device according to thepresent description.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a network interface device according tothe present description.

FIG. 9 is a top view of a network interface device according to anotheraspect of the present description.

FIGS. 10A and 10B respectively show a perspective view and an explodedview of a network interface device according to another aspect of thepresent description.

FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 11C respectively show perspective views and anexploded view of a network interface device according to another aspectof the present description.

The figures are not necessarily to scale. Like numbers used in thefigures refer to like components. However, it will be understood thatthe use of a number to refer to a component in a given figure is notintended to limit the component in another figure labeled with the samenumber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure will now be describedwith particular reference to the Drawings. Exemplary embodiments of thepresent disclosure may take on various modifications and alterationswithout departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.Accordingly, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the presentdisclosure are not to be limited to the following described exemplaryembodiments, but are to be controlled by the limitations set forth inthe claims and any equivalents thereof.

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings that forms a part hereof and in which are shown by way ofillustration. It is to be understood that other embodiments arecontemplated and may be made without departing from the scope or spiritof the present disclosure. The following detailed description,therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing feature sizes,amounts, and physical properties used in the specification and claimsare to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term“about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numericalparameters set forth in the foregoing specification and attached claimsare approximations that can vary depending upon the desired propertiessought to be obtained by those skilled in the art utilizing theteachings disclosed herein.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singularforms “a,” “an,” and “the” encompass embodiments having pluralreferents, unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. As used inthis specification and the appended claims, the term “or” is generallyemployed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearlydictates otherwise.

Spatially related terms, including but not limited to, “lower,” “upper,”“beneath,” “below,” “above,” and “on top,” if used herein, are utilizedfor ease of description to describe spatial relationships of anelement(s) to another. Such spatially related terms encompass differentorientations of the device in use or operation in addition to theparticular orientations depicted in the figures and described herein.For example, if an object depicted in the figures is turned over orflipped over, portions previously described as below or beneath otherelements would then be above those other elements.

As used herein, when an element, component or layer for example isdescribed as forming a “coincident interface” with, or being “on”“coupled with” or “in contact with” another element, component or layer,it can be directly on, directly coupled with, in direct contact with, orintervening elements, components or layers may be on, connected, coupledor in contact with the particular element, component or layer, forexample. When an element, component or layer for example is referred toas being “directly on,” “directly coupled with,” or “directly in contactwith” another element, there are no intervening elements, components orlayers for example.

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a network interface device 100according to a first aspect of the present description. Networkinterface device 100 generally includes an enclosure body 102 and a tray104. Tray 104 is securely mounted to an interior surface 106 of theenclosure, and includes a number of fiber management components. Variousversions of such a tray, as described herein, and tray assemblies (i.e.a tray and components mounted thereon or routed therethrough) fallwithin the scope of the present invention. In a further aspect, the traycan be omitted and the fiber management components can be mounted and/orformed onto an interior surface or surfaces of the enclosure body, suchas interior surfaces 106, 206, 706 (also see FIGS. 5 and 9, described inmore detail below).

FIG. 2 illustrates one potential fiber management tray assemblyaccording to the present description. Fiber management tray assembly 201includes a first optical fiber 208 that is stored in loops around aslack storage system 210 in tray 204. The tray 204 can be constructedfrom a standard material, such as metal or plastic. Preferably, the trayis constructed from a molded plastic material, e.g., a suitable polymermaterial, such as polycarbonate, polyamide, polypropylene, polyethyleneor the like.

In one exemplary embodiment, optical fiber 208 may comprise a standardsingle mode or multimode optical fiber, such as SMF 28 (available fromCorning Inc.). In an exemplary embodiment, the optical fiber has a 900μm outer diameter buffer coating (not including standard fiberjacketing), although optical fiber 208 can comprise any standard opticalfiber buffered diameter, such as 250 μm, or fiber buffered diameterslarger or smaller.

The first end of the optical fiber 208 is pre-installed in a firstmechanical fiber splice device 214. First mechanical fiber splice device214 is securely mounted in a first fiber splice holding groove 216 thatis integrally formed in tray 204. The first mechanical fiber splicedevice receives the first end 212 of the optical fiber after routingthrough the slack storage system. Additionally, a fiber splice actuationmechanism 218 is positioned over the first mechanical fiber splicedevice 214. The fiber splice actuation mechanism 218 is capable ofactuating the first mechanical fiber splice 214 by pressing on theactuation mechanism. In one embodiment, the fiber splice actuationmechanism comprises a flexible cantilevered arm that is integral to thetray. A perspective view more clearly illustrating this element may befound in FIG. 4. Pre-installing the optical fiber 208 in the tray in theslack storage system 210 prior to splice actuation allows an installerto avoid torsion effects on the optical fiber.

Additionally, fiber management tray assembly may include, as part of thefiber splice holding groove 216, an alignment channel 220 thatfacilitates optical fiber insertion into the first mechanical fibersplice device 214. The mechanical fiber splices described herein may be,e.g., 3M™ FIBRLOK™ II mechanical fiber optic splice device, availablefrom 3M Company, of Saint Paul, Minn., or another conventionalmechanical splice device.

Further, the splice holding groove(s) and alignment channel(s) may beformed as part of a splice holding section, which can be integrallyformed onto tray 204, or provided as a separate splice insert mountableto the tray 204. In this manner, different splice inserts can beutilized to accommodate different types of mechanical splices.

Additionally, slack storage system 210 may include at least one fiberstay 222. Fiber stay 222 is positioned to ensure that the fiber 208 willremain in position, even when a mechanical splice device (such as firstmechanical fiber splice device 214) is unactuated. Fiber stay 222 may,in some embodiments, be integrally formed in the tray and may, forexample, be a plastic tab. Slack storage system 210 includes containmentwalls 246 that partly surround the system and provide a barrier from themechanical splice device or devices. The system further includes dualhubs 248 around which the optical fiber 208 is routed, that provide fora minimum bend radius and also may, in certain embodiments, allow forfigure-8 routing of the optical fiber.

FIG. 3 illustrates some further aspects of potential embodiments offiber management trays according to the present description. Though notall elements from FIG. 2 are included, they may also be included alongwith the elements described. Fiber management tray assembly furtherincludes an adapter 224. Adapter 224 is mounted in a first adaptermounting mechanism 226 that is integrally formed in the tray. Adapter224 is generally capable of receiving and coupling two connectors. Forfurther understanding, FIG. 4 provides a perspective view of theconstruction shown in FIG. 3.

The invention may be further understood by reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5illustrates that fiber management tray assembly may include a firstconnector 228 that is connected to the adapter 224. Second end of thefirst optical fiber 208 is installed in the first connector 228, suchthat optical fiber (potentially pigtail) 208 is routed from connector228, looped around the slack storage system 210, and ultimately reachesfirst mechanical fiber splice 214. Where a fiber pigtail is used, thefiber pigtail end can be stripped and cleaved (flat or angled), orotherwise suitably prepared. Thus, connectors can be pre-installed intothe adapter with a desired length of pigtail fiber exiting from the backend of the connector, where the end of that pigtail fiber can beprepared for splicing and inserted part way into the splice device.According to an exemplary embodiment, this initial connectorization canbe completed in the factory, prior to field termination.

Connectors used herein, such as first connector 228, can include one orseveral different types of standard optical connectors, such as SC-type,FC-type, LC-type, and ST-type connectors. For example, when couplinginto existing analogue/digital optical distribution cables, an exemplarySC-APC (angle polished connector) connector can be employed.

The fiber management assembly may additionally include a second adaptermounting mechanism 230 that is integrally formed in the tray 204. Thoughnot shown, a second adapter may be mounted into second adapter mountingmechanism 230. The first and second adapter mounting mechanisms may be,as illustrated in FIG. 5, on opposing sides of tray 204. Alternatively,the adapter mounting mechanisms can be disposed adjacent each other onthe same area of the tray. For example, such as shown in FIG. 9, theadapter mounting mechanisms can be mounted above the slack storage andopposite the fiber splice holding section.

Another potential feature of the fiber management tray is the inclusionof a plurality of protective tabs 232 that are positioned over the slackstorage system. Protective tabs aid to both ensure that optical fiber(e.g. pigtails) and potentially exposed optical fiber from the dropcable routed through the slack storage system 210 are secured within theslack storage system, and also protects the potentially exposed fibersfrom tangling with the subscriber cable. As a layer of furtherprotection, the fiber management tray may include a protective coverthat is removably positioned over the tray and protects the firstconnector 228 and first mechanical fiber splice device 214, as well asoffering further protection to fiber 208. This protective cover (notshown) may be transparent and contain holes that snap in to connect withthe tray's integral anchor points 234.

Tray assembly 201 may further include a strain relief device 236. Strainrelief device 236 may be integral to the tray and is capable ofproviding strain relief to a drop cable or subscriber cable that travelsover the tray. It may be positioned most appropriately near an entryport, where the tray is positioned in an enclosure. Looking to FIG. 6,subscriber cable 280 may enter an enclosure at an inlet port 278. Beforethe cable is ultimately secured to the strain relief device 236 by e.g.,a zip or cable tie, or other fastener, a second connector 241 at the endof the subscriber cable 280 is connected to adapter 224 in order toconnect to first connector 228 and optical fiber 208. Appropriatesubscriber cables for use in the present invention may be e.g., EZ-Bend®cables from OFS (Norcross, Georgia), such as EZ-Bend 4.8 mm or 3.0 mmcables.

Returning to FIG. 3, the tray assembly may further include a secondmechanical fiber splice device 238 that is securely mounted in a secondfiber splice holding groove 240. Fiber splice holding groove 240 (shownunobstructed in FIG. 2) is integrally formed in the tray 204 and runsparallel to the first fiber splice holding groove 216. Where a secondmechanical fiber splice device is present, fiber splice actuationmechanism 218 may be used to actuate both the first mechanical fibersplice device and second mechanical device. The two mechanical fibersplice mechanisms may be actuated serially or sequentially.

Returning to the fiber management tray illustrated in FIG. 5, said traymay include a second optical fiber 242. Second optical fiber 242 may berouted to the opposing side 244 of first mechanical fiber splice device214 from which the first optical fiber 208 terminates. Second opticalfiber may be a 900 μm outer diameter buffered cladding (not includingstandard fiber jacketing), or could be a standard optical fiber buffereddiameter, such as 250 μm, or fiber buffered diameters larger or smaller.

As noted with respect to FIG. 1, and illustrated again in FIG. 5, thetray 204 and tray assemblies described herein may be securely mounted toan interior surface 206 of an enclosure 200. The entire construction ofthe enclosure with incorporated tray assembly may be understood as anetwork interface device.

FIGS. 7 and 8 offer a different understanding of the presentdescription. Top view of network interface device 600 illustrates thatthe device includes an enclosure 602. Enclosure body 602 may be made ofany number of appropriate materials, such as an appropriate moldedplastic. In at least one embodiment, the enclosure body may be openedand closed by a hinge mechanism 682. Network interface device furtherincludes a tray 604 that is securely mounted to an interior surface 606of the enclosure body. The tray may include (as illustrated in theversion of network interface device in FIG. 8, with elements removed forease of illustration), a first adapter mounting mechanism 626 integrallyformed in the tray, and an adapter 624 mounted into the mountingmechanism. Additionally, the tray includes a first fiber splice holdinggroove 616 that is integrally formed in the tray, and a fiber spliceactuation mechanism 618 that is positioned over the first fiber spliceholding groove 616. Finally, the tray 604 includes a slack storagesystem 610.

Network interface device 600 further includes a first connector 628 thatis connected to the adapter 624. The first connector includes a firstfiber pigtail 670 that extends from it. As illustrated in FIG. 7, bothfiber pigtail 670 and an optical fiber 672 from a drop cable 674 arerouted around the slack storage system 610. First mechanical fibersplice device 614 is securely mounted in the first fiber splice holdinggroove 616, where the fiber splice actuation mechanism 618 is alsopositioned over the first mechanical fiber splice device 614. Fibersplice actuation mechanism is capable of actuating the first fibersplice device by pressing on the actuation mechanism. Finally, thoughnot shown, network interface device may include a protective cover(potentially transparent, e.g., a clear plastic cover) that is removablypositioned over the tray and protects the first connector and firstmechanical fiber splice device.

Additional elements may also be present in network interface device 600.For example, the tray 604 may include a strain relief device 636 that ispositioned proximate an entry port 678 into which the drop cable orsubscriber cable 680 enters the enclosure. Subscriber cable 680 may besecured to the strain relief device using a cable tie or zip tie 698.Tray 604 may include a second fiber splice holding groove 684 that ispositioned adjacent to and runs parallel to the first fiber splicegroove 616. Network interface device 600 may include a second mechanicalfiber splice device 638 that is securely mounted in second fiber spliceholding groove 684. The fiber splice actuation mechanism 618 ispositioned over the second mechanical fiber splice device, and iscapable of actuating the second fiber splice device by pressing on theactuation mechanism.

Network interface device 600 may include a second adapter 688 mounted ina second adapter mounting mechanism 630 in the tray. The first andsecond adapter mounting mechanisms may be positioned on opposing sidesof the tray in one embodiment. In such an embodiment, first mechanicalfiber splice device may be positioned generally between the first andsecond adapter mounting mechanisms.

Additionally, tray 604 may include a second strain relief device 692.Second strain relief device 692 may be positioned on an opposing side ofthe tray 604 from the strain relief device 636. Second strain reliefdevice 692 is positioned proximate a second entry port 694 through whicha drop cable or subscriber cable may enter the network interface device.

It should further be noted that the progression of FIGS. 5 through 7offers a helpful understanding of the utility of the inventionsdescribed herein. In FIG. 5, the fiber management tray assembly includesthe drop cable 274 that enters second inlet port 294, where the cable isrouted through the slack storage system after optical fiber is removedand exposed as optical fiber 242. This fiber is spliced at firstmechanical fiber splice device to optical fiber 208 which terminates atconnector 228 disposed in adapter 224. As illustrated in FIG. 6, asubscriber cable 280 may be routed to the tray (potentially through aninlet port 278 where the tray is in an enclosure) and connected viaconnector 241 to adapter 224. This provides the ultimate connectionbetween the subscriber and drop cables. As further provided in FIG. 7,each of the subscriber and drop cables may be coiled within theenclosure and secured by strain relief devices at the inlet ports andcable management structures and or ties within the enclosure.

An alternative aspect of the present invention is shown FIG. 9, where atray is omitted, and the fiber management components are formed on aninterior surface of the enclosure body. For example, FIG. 9 shows anetwork interface device 700 having an enclosure body 702 with aninterior surface 706. A fiber management assembly 701 having variousfiber management areas, such as slack storage system 710, fiber spliceholding section 715, and adapter holding section 725, can each havetheir components integrally formed onto interior surface 706.

Similar to the assemblies described above, a first optical fiber 708(only a portion of which is shown for simplicity) can be stored in slackstorage system 710. The fiber can comprise any of the fibers describedabove. A first end of the optical fiber 708 can be pre-installed in afirst mechanical fiber splice device 714 that is securely mounted in afirst fiber splice holding groove 716 disposed in the splice holdingsection 715. The first mechanical fiber splice device receives the firstend of the optical fiber after routing through the slack storage system.Additionally, a fiber splice actuation mechanism 718, which isconfigured and operates in a pressing manner similar to that describedabove, can be provided and positioned over the first mechanical fibersplice device 714. As with previously described embodiments,pre-installing the optical fiber 708 in the in the slack storage system710 of the fiber management assembly 701 prior to splice actuationallows an installer to avoid torsion effects on the optical fiber. Asecond mechanical splice device (not shown) may also be installed insplice holding section 715.

Additionally, fiber management assembly 701 may include, as part of thefiber splice holding section 715, an alignment channel that facilitatesoptical fiber insertion into the first mechanical fiber splice device714. The mechanical fiber splices described herein may be, e.g., 3M™FIBRLOK™ II mechanical fiber optic splice device, available from 3MCompany, of Saint Paul, Minn., or another conventional mechanical splicedevice.

Further, the splice holding groove(s) and alignment channel(s) may beformed as part of splice holding section 715 or may be provided as aseparate splice insert mountable in splice holding section 715. In thismanner, different splice inserts can be utilized to accommodatedifferent types of mechanical splices.

Additionally, slack storage system 710 may include at least one fiberstay, such as those described above. Slack storage system 710 includescontainment walls 746 that partly surround the slack storage system andprovide a barrier from the mechanical splice device or devices. Theslack storage system further includes dual hubs 748 around which theoptical fiber 708 is routed, that provide for a minimum bend radius andalso may, in certain embodiments, allow for figure-8 routing of theoptical fiber.

Fiber management assembly 701 further includes one or more adaptersdisposed in an adapter holding section 725. For example, a firstadapter, such as adapter 724, can be mounted in a first adapter mountingmechanism 726 that is integrally formed in the adapter holding section.Adapter 724 is generally capable of receiving and coupling twoconnectors. A first connector 728 can be connected to the adapter 724.Connector 728 can comprise any of the connectors described previously.The second end of the first optical fiber 708 is installed in the firstconnector 728, such that optical fiber (potentially pigtail) 708 isrouted from connector 728, looped around the slack storage system 710,and ultimately reaches first mechanical fiber splice 714. Where a fiberpigtail is used, the fiber pigtail end can be prepared as describedabove. Thus, connectors can be pre-installed into the adapter with adesired length of pigtail fiber exiting from the back end of theconnector, where the end of that pigtail fiber can be prepared forsplicing and inserted part way into the splice device. According to anexemplary embodiment, this initial connectorization can be completed inthe factory, prior to field termination.

Fiber management assembly 701 may additionally include a second adaptermounting mechanism that is integrally formed in the adapter holdingsection 725 for holding a second adapter (not shown). The first andsecond adapter mounting mechanisms may be disposed adjacent each otherin the adapter holding section.

The fiber management assembly 701 may further include a plurality ofprotective tabs 732 that are positioned over the slack storage system710 to help ensure that optical fiber (e.g. pigtails) and potentiallyexposed optical fiber from the drop cable routed through the slackstorage system 710 are secured within the slack storage system, similarto tabs 232 described previously. A protective cover, similar to thatdescribed above, may also be included.

Fiber management assembly 701 may further include a strain relief devicethat is capable of providing strain relief to a drop cable or subscribercable that travels within the assembly. It may be positioned mostappropriately near an entry port, such as entry ports 778 and 794. Forexample, FIG. 9 shows strain relief structures 779 and 793 disposed onan exterior surface of enclosure body 702 at the ports. Internal strainrelief structures can also be provided within the enclosure body aspreviously described. In one aspect, a subscriber cable may enternetwork interface device 700 at inlet port 778. Before the cable isultimately secured to the strain relief device by e.g., a zip or cabletie, or other fastener, a second connector at the end of the subscribercable can be connected to adapter 724 in order to connect to firstconnector 728. Appropriate subscriber cables are described previously.

A cover (not shown) can be hingedly mounted as part of the enclosurebody to provide further protection to the fibers and fiber managementcomponents disposed in the network interface device 700.

In another aspect of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, anetwork interface device 800 can include multiple trays for fibermanagement and routing. For example, FIG. 10A shows network interfacedevice 800 having a tray assembly 801 mounted within enclosure body 802that includes three fiber management trays 804 a, 804 b, and 804 c in astacked arrangement. Thus, with the stacked tray arrangement, multiplesubscribers (e.g., within a single dwelling, or at an MDU) can beserviced by the same network interface device.

More detail is provided in the exploded view of FIG. 10B. For example,FIG. 10B shows a network interface device 800 having an enclosure body802 with a first fiber management tray 804 a mounted onto (or,alternatively, formed on) an interior surface of the enclosure body 802.Fiber management tray 804 a can include various fiber management areas,such as slack storage 810 a, fiber splice holding section 815 a, andadapter holding section 825 a. In addition, network interface device 800includes a second fiber management tray 804 b, which can include variousfiber management areas, such as slack storage 810 b, fiber spliceholding section 815 b, and adapter holding section 825 b. Moreover,network interface device 800 includes a third fiber management tray 804c, which can include various fiber management areas, such as slackstorage 810 c, fiber splice holding section 815 c, and adapter holdingsection 825 c. Each of these fiber management areas can be constructedthe same as those like-numbered fiber management areas and componentsdescribed previously, and are thus not described in further detail withrespect to FIG. 10B. It should be noted that the enclosure body 802 canbe configured to house a greater number of fiber management trays,depending on the application.

The fiber management trays can each be the same, or they can havedifferent fiber management components disposed thereon. In addition,each fiber management tray can include a mounting structures to allowfor an additional tray to be pivotably mounted thereon. Thisconfiguration allows for a compact structure when in use, but alsoallows an installer to easily access each tray during installation orrepair. Thus, network interface device 800 can accommodate a multi-fiberdrop cable, with the ability to route each drop fiber from themulti-fiber drop cable to a particular fiber management tray having asplice device pre-installed thereon. Fiber routing can be accomplishedin the same manner as described previously.

In another aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 11A-11C, anetwork interface device 900 can include a pre-installed splitter andpatch panel for multi-subscriber and/or multi-dwelling applications. Asshown in FIG. 11A, a network interface device 900 includes a patch panelassembly 960 having a patch panel tray 964, protective tabs 967 (toprotect fibers routed to the patch panel), and a patch panel frame 965disposed within enclosure body 902. Releasable latches 968 can beprovided to maintain the position of the patch panel tray 964. The tray964 can be constructed from a standard material, such as metal orplastic, such as those described previously.

Patch panel frame 965 can accommodate multiple adapters 924 a arrangedin rows. While twelve adapters are shown in FIG. 11A, patch panelassembly 960 can be configured (e.g., sized) to accommodate a smaller orgreater number of adapters. With multiple adapters housed within networkinterface device 900, multiple subscribers can be serviced from the samedevice.

In one aspect, as shown in FIG. 11B, patch panel tray 964 is pivotablymounted to a fiber management tray 904, which is in turn mounted onto(or, alternatively, formed on) an interior surface 906 of the enclosurebody 902. As shown in FIGS. 11B and 11C, fiber management tray 904 caninclude various fiber management areas, such as slack storage 910, fibersplice holding section 915, and adapter holding section 925. Each ofthese fiber management areas can be constructed the same as thoselike-numbered fiber management areas and components describedpreviously, and are thus not described in further detail with respect toFIGS. 11A-11C.

In addition, fiber management tray 904 can also house a splitter 990,such as a 1×4, 1×8, or 1×16 optical fiber splitter, or a combination ofsplitters (e.g., a 1×4 and 1×8 splitter), depending on the application.The splitter 990 can be a conventional optical fiber splitter, and caninclude a single input fiber and multiple pre-connectorized outputfibers.

As shown in FIG. 11B, splitter 990 is mounted onto tray 904 adjacent tothe splice holding section. In operation, a drop cable fiber (not shownin FIG. 11B, but see fiber 242 from FIG. 5) is routed to a first end ofa splice device mounted in the splice holding section 915 and the bareend of the splitter input fiber (not shown) is routed (via slack storagesystem 910) to a second end of the splice device. The splitter inputfiber can be pre-installed in the splice device. The pre-connectorizedoutput fibers can be routed to different adapters that are pre-installedin the patch panel 965. Further adapters 924 b can also be included inadapter holding section 925. Additionally, a fiber splice actuationmechanism 918 is positioned over the first mechanical fiber splicedevice. Similar to that described previously, the fiber splice actuationmechanism 918 is capable of actuating the mechanical fiber splice bypressing on the actuation mechanism. Pre-installation of the splitterfibers prior to splice actuation allows an installer to avoid torsioneffects on the optical fibers. Subsequently, multiple subscriber cables(being pre-connectorized or field mounted onto connectors) can beconnected to the patch panel, as appropriate.

1. A fiber management tray assembly, comprising: a first optical fiberstored in loops around a slack storage system disposed on a tray, thefirst end of the first optical fiber being pre-installed in a firstmechanical fiber splice device, wherein the first mechanical fibersplice device is securely mounted in a first fiber splice holding groovethat is integrally formed in the tray, and a fiber splice actuationmechanism positioned over the first mechanical fiber splice device. 2.The fiber management tray assembly of claim 1, wherein the slack storagesystem includes at least one fiber stay that is positioned to ensurethat the fiber will remain positioned within an unactuated mechanicalsplice device.
 3. The fiber management tray assembly of claim 1, furthercomprising an adapter mounted in an adapter mounting mechanism, theadapter mounting mechanism being integrally formed in the tray.
 4. Thefiber management tray assembly of claim 3, further comprising a firstconnector connected to the adapter, wherein the second end of the firstoptical fiber is installed in the first connector.
 5. The fibermanagement tray assembly of claim 4, further comprising a second adaptermounted in a second adapter mounting mechanism, the second adaptermounting mechanism being integrally formed in the tray, wherein thefirst and second adapter mounting mechanisms are positioned on opposingsides of the tray.
 6. The fiber management tray assembly of claim 1,wherein the first optical fiber is a pre-terminated pigtail.
 7. Thefiber management tray assembly of claim 1, further comprising aplurality of protective tabs positioned over the slack storage system.8. The fiber management tray assembly of claim 1, wherein the fibersplice actuation mechanism comprises a flexible cantilevered arm that isintegral to the tray.
 9. The fiber management tray assembly of claim 1,wherein the tray further comprises a strain relief device that providesstrain relief to a drop cable or subscriber cable.
 10. The fibermanagement tray assembly of claim 1, further comprising a secondmechanical fiber splice device, wherein second mechanical fiber splicedevice is securely mounted in a second fiber splice holding groove thatis integrally formed in the tray and runs parallel to the first fibersplice holding groove.
 11. The fiber management tray assembly of claim10, further comprising a second optical fiber routed to the opposingside of the first mechanical fiber splice device from which the firstoptical fiber terminates.
 12. A network interface device, comprising thetray of claim
 1. 13. A network interface device, comprising: anenclosure body; a fiber management assembly disposed in the enclosurebody, the fiber management assembly comprising: an adapter mountingsection; an adapter mounted into a mounting mechanism disposed in theadapter mounting section; a splice holding section having a first fibersplice holding groove; a fiber splice actuation mechanism positionedover the first fiber splice holding groove; a slack storage system; afirst connector connected to the adapter, the first connector includinga first fiber pigtail extending therefrom, wherein the fiber pigtail andan optical fiber from a drop cable or subscriber cable are both routedaround the slack storage system; and a first mechanical fiber splicedevice securely mounted in the first fiber splice holding groove, wherethe fiber splice actuation mechanism is also positioned over the firstmechanical fiber splice device, and is capable of actuating the firstfiber splice device by pressing on the actuation mechanism.
 14. Thenetwork interface device of claim 13, further comprising first andsecond strain relief devices, the first strain relief device positionedproximate to an entry port of the enclosure body into which the dropcable or subscriber cable can enter the enclosure and the second strainrelief device positioned on an opposing side of the tray from the strainrelief device, the second strain relief device positioned proximate asecond entry port into the enclosure body.
 15. The network interfacedevice of claim 13, further comprising a second fiber splice holdinggroove that is positioned adjacent to and runs parallel to the firstfiber splice groove and further comprising a second mechanical fibersplice device securely mounted in the second fiber splice holdinggroove, wherein the fiber splice actuation mechanism is also positionedover the second mechanical fiber splice device, and is capable ofactuating the second fiber splice device by pressing on the actuationmechanism.
 16. The network interface device of claim 13, wherein theadapter mounting section, splice holding section, and slack storagesystem are mounted on a tray.
 17. The network interface device of claim13, wherein the adapter mounting section, splice holding section, andslack storage system are formed on an interior surface of the enclosurebody.
 18. The network interface device of claim 13, further comprising asecond adapter mounted in a second adapter mounting mechanism, whereinthe first and second adapter mounting mechanisms are positioned onopposing sides of the tray.
 19. The network interface device of claim13, wherein the fiber management assembly comprises a first tray,wherein the adapter mounting section, splice holding section, and slackstorage system are mounted on the first tray, and a second tray, whereina second adapter mounting section, a second splice holding section, anda second slack storage system are mounted on the second tray, whereinthe second tray is pivotably mounted on the first tray.
 20. The networkinterface device of claim 13, further comprising a splitter and a patchpanel tray, wherein the adapter mounting section, splice holdingsection, splitter, and slack storage system are mounted on a fibermanagement tray and the patch panel tray is pivotably mounted on thefiber management tray.